To digest food, your bowels produce lithocholic acid, a digestive juice that can be carcinogenic in high amounts.

Scientists have learned, however, that vitamin D helps your body detoxify and expel excess lithocholic acid before it can cause colon cancer. And now, a 2008 Journal of Oncology study shows it also helps improve survival. Patients in the study were already diagnosed with colorectal cancer. Vitamin D also helps protect against other types of cancer, helps your heart, strengthens your bones by helping your body use calcium, and boosts your immune system function. Your body produces vitamin D in response to sun exposure, most men need to pop a supplement to see this benefit.

Conditions

Colon cancer

Cancer

Heart health

Bone health

Immunity

Recommendations

1,000 international units (IU) per day has been shown to produce a 50 percent drop in colon-cancer risk

Look for vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) on the label when you buy supplements

Interactions & Side Effects

Antiseizure drugs. You may need more D

Calcium-channel blockers. Ask a doctor

Thiazide diuretics. Ask a doctor

Disclaimer: This website is for information purposes only. By providing the information contained herein we are not diagnosing, treating, curing, mitigating, or preventing any type of disease or medical condition. Before beginning any type of natural, integrative or conventional treatment regime, it is advisible to seek the advice of a licensed healthcare professional.